Congratulations to the legendary R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! has taken it upon itself to set the record straight regarding the health of founding member D'Wayne Wiggins. As for his health, well, it seems that the reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated; Wiggins is alive and kicking, battling through a somewhat secretive health struggle.
Fans were rattled earlier this week after internet chatter claimed Wiggins was in hospice or, worse, had died. Tweeters' hearts, but not their facts, appeared to be in the right place, as their alerts jammed up timelines with prayers and reports of the apparent passing of yet another music legend.
"We would like to inform you that D'Wayne Wiggins has medical complications." He is taking it one day at a time. As we know, he is loved by so many, and we appreciate your prayers and concerns. We also ask that you respect the family's privacy during this time," the official statement read, signed by the Wiggins family. This message was also sent from Wiggins' personal Instagram to confirm that while the situation is serious, he's still here, pushing forward.
For the Tony! Toni! Toné! Since their ascent in the late '80s, Wiggins' impact on music is inestimable. With his brother Raphael Saadiq and cousin Timothy Riley, Wiggins redefined the sound of R&B, fusing classic soul with contemporary musical production and helping to lay the groundwork for the neo-soul movement. Their seminal 1993 album "Sons of Soul" is considered a genre cornerstone, inspiring artists from D'Angelo to Anderson. Paak.
The recent Tony! Toni! Toné! After more than a decade apart, their reunion tour was a dream come true for fans. Wiggins' health challenges have been reflected in some reports linking the urgency of the tour to Raphael Saadiq's brother's health. Others noted that Wiggins had to be helped off-stage at an earlier show, which raised more questions about his health.
Industry counterparts have also intervened to help. DJ Quik, who collaborated with the group on the 1996 hit "Let's Get Down," has been sharing real-time news and circulating the word. The avalanche of love from fans and fellow musicians shows how greatly Wiggins has affected the music world.
Although his exact condition is not public information, one thing is sure: D'Wayne Wiggins is a fighter. As the Wiggins family continues to work through this extremely challenging period, all we can do as fans is send our positive light and best wishes, comply with their request for privacy, and keep the music playing. Because if there's one thing we know about Tony! Toni! Toné! Their legacy and love for soulful, timeless music will never die.
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